The document summarizes narrative structures and conventions followed in four horror movies: The Shining, 28 Days Later, I Spit on Your Grave. It analyzes how each movie fits or adapts Todorov's narrative theory of equilibrium, disequilibrium and resolution. For The Shining, it analyzes the plot, setting, characters and props and how they follow this structure. For 28 Days Later, it analyzes how the structure is adapted as there is no clear beginning equilibrium. For I Spit on Your Grave, it analyzes how the female protagonist moves from victim to villain in her narrative arc.

1. RESEARCH OF NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
AND CONVENTIONS OF HORROR
MOVIES

2. THE SHINING

3. Conventions followed in The Shining Narrative Structure followed in The Shining
Plot The Shining mainly follows Todorov's narrative
insanity, murder, turns on family, aggression, theory where there is a structure of equilibrium,
telepathic, seeing things others cant, disequilibrium and finally resolution. The
equilibrium is when the two opposing sides are at a
isolation, mental illness. balance, which is shown when Jack's family are
happily moving to and driving to the hotel, and
Setting somewhat when they are there for the first part.
Hotel, top of hill, maze, rural, wilderness, Secondly, the disequilibrium is where the disruption
isolation, empty corridors, bathroom. begins. This is when Danny begins to see the twins
and opens door 237, but there are hints of
Characters disequilibrium from quite early on with the chef and
Happy family, child who sees things, Danny’s “shining” ability, as well as jack's violence.
There is the sustained disequilibrium while Jack
imaginary friends, ghosts/spirits, helpless becomes more deranged and violent and murder
wife, mentally insane protagonist, outsider takes place, and finally the resolution is when
who attempts to help. Danny escapes Jack in the Maze and he and
Wendy escape, ending with Jack dying in the snow.
Props
Axe, toys, photograph, baseball bat, Levi-Strauss' narrative theory of binary opposites is
typewriter, lipstick, mirror, radio also explored in the shining, mainly with the theme
of good v evil. This is shown by Wendy, Danny and
the outsider Chef against the evil force, which is
ambigious; if could be Jack, the hotel, room 237 or
another evil force. This is left to the viewer.

4. 28 DAYS LATER

5. Conventions followed in 28 Days Later Narrative Structure followed in 28 Days Later
Plot 28 days later doesn't fit Todorov's theory as
Zombies, apocalypse, science gone wrong, we do not begin the film with the viewer
survivors left seeing the equilibrium as such. The 3 act
theory can be applied to this film however,
Setting because in the 1st act we see central
Deserted/abandoned city, church, hospital, characters and the dangerous setting being
laboratory, military base, underground, introduced. In the 2nd act, there is death of
cottage, flats. victims and central characters fight back. In
the 3rd act, a climax and dramatic show down
Characters which the remaining central characters take
Male survivor protagonist, single survivor, part in, and allow for a sequel to be made, as
priest, zombie, un-dead there is no resolution as such. This is
common in horror films where there are many
Props sequels, for example Saw.
Guns, debris, rubbish, medicine, chemicals,
posters, corpses, phone.

6. I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE

7. Conventions followed in I Spit on Your Grave Narrative Structure followed in I Spit on Your
Grave
Plot I spit on your grave follows the Todorov
Revenge, helpless woman, violent men, theory of equilibrium, disequilibrium and
gangs, rural holiday, killing off certain people resolution. The film begins with the
protagonist going to an isolated house for her
Setting work and having a holiday away. While in the
Rural cabin, isolated, lake, forest, abandoned house, the disequilibrium begins as she
house, park, gas station suspects there are people playing
games/intruding around the house. The plot
Characters then develops more with the men breaking in
Helpless female, becomes and taking out violent and sexual abuse on
strong/revenge/last woman standing, violent the woman. She then turns from the victim to
gang, rowdy men, disabled man is victimised the villain when she stalks her rapists and kills
them off one by one. The resolution is slightly
Props compromised because she was the one who
Guns, bear trap, acid, bath, rope, alcohol, killed her attackers which essentially
drugs, video camera, bottle, fish hooks, becomes the resolution, and then she drives
baseball bat, knife, pliers. home creating a resolved ending.